Are CB's still being used? What channels? Are Baja travellers using VHF in their cars?Bob and Susan - 10-27-2005 at 03:31 PM
Most people are using FRS "TalkAbout" radios for traveling....
They cost about $10.00 each
Small and powerful and use very little battery power.
CB's are OUT!!!
we had a set of those type of radios...
eetdrt88 - 10-27-2005 at 03:48 PM
on a baja trip and not only did they get way less distance than they advertised but one of the radios didnt even last the length of the trip...is
there a certain brand that works better than others?woody with a view - 10-27-2005 at 04:01 PM
mine are supposed to be 6 miles. HA! not even 3-4 line of sight. in the mountains they are maybe 1/2 mile at most, but enough to tell the guy
following that the coast is clear to pass that semi....Bob and Susan - 10-27-2005 at 04:39 PM
that's a big 10-4 good buddy. come back.....Bob and Susan - 10-27-2005 at 04:56 PM
How come I ALWAYS talk like that on the radio too???
CBs, FRS, GMRS, etc
MrBillM - 10-27-2005 at 05:02 PM
I gave up on all of them and just use Marine band units, stationary or travelling. Better power and range for the buck.bajalou - 10-27-2005 at 07:41 PM
Same here MrBillM - marine band units (actually I use 2 meter units on the marine channels - better power than the marine units.)
lou,can you explain for idiots like me
eetdrt88 - 10-28-2005 at 07:57 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Same here MrBillM - marine band units (actually I use 2 meter units on the marine channels - better power than the marine units.)
what a marine band unit
is???bajalou - 10-28-2005 at 08:29 AM
A VHF radio that is set to operate on the frequencies assigned for Marine service is what I was refering to as a "marine band unit". The come in both
hand-held and stationary - usually 12V and are designed to let people on the water comunicate between other boats/ships and shore. If you use one for
any other purposes you have to be very careful not to interfer with others using it in the intended manner.
I have a stationary VHF unit in my truck
Hook - 10-28-2005 at 10:04 AM
....but I'm not about to raise the antennae while I'm doing 65 on the hwy.
I have had excellent results with the FRS radios on the road, especially since most communications are line-of-site or close to it. they are also
cheap enough to buy 2-4 and give them to others in your "caravan" that are without. VHF radios, even handhelds, are too expensive to expect everyone
to have one. Unless, of course, they are boaters. Most all boaters have a handheld.
I prefer the Motorola FRSs. I think they are superior and can utilize a small earplug/ mic combo. They also seem much closer to their predicted range
than other manufacturers I've used.
Costco often has sets for sale, complete with chargers. Definitely get ones that accept alkaline batteries as well; it's not always easy to keep a
NiMh or NiCad pack charged when you're on the road.
[Edited on 10-28-2005 by Hook]
Midland radios------
Barry A. - 10-28-2005 at 03:00 PM
There are now 5-watt handi-talkies available from Midland that have a 14 mile range, and operate on GMRS/FRS freqs. and two of them can be bought for
about $60 at discount mailorder places----like the "Sportsmans Guide".
You also can get the same radio in 4-watt versions priced at 2 radios for $35 rated at 10 miles ("Sportsman's Guide").
Both radios are realistically good for about "up to 8 miles" under near ideal circumstances, in my experience.
The obvious advantage over CB's is no static noise, and portability. I have been using the 2 watt and 4 watt ones for years and have been really
happy with them. Now I have the 5-watt versions, but there is a problem with them----you have to shift to low power (2 watt) when fairly close to the
other radios----if you leave them on the high power (5-watt) setting they overpower, and are hard to hear each other when within 1/4 mile of each
other. This is a nuisance.
But, I still have my single-side-band CB "on" all the time while on the road, and there is still lots of "traffic".
Another great source of any of these radios at cheap prices is E-bay. Just type in "midland radios" on your search engine and up come dozens of them,
some new and some used.
